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Congress cuts funding for European missile project
George Bush's plans to establish a European missile defence system suffered a big setback yesterday when a Congressional committee slashed the funding. The House appropriations committee cut $139m (£69.5m) from the $310m the Bush administration wants for preparatory work on the missile project in Europe. It approved funds for a radar system in the Czech Republic but cut the $139m Mr Bush requested to establish a missile interception system in Poland, the most controversial part of the defence system.

In addition, the committee cut a further $159m from US-based parts of the missile plan.
John Murtha, chairman of the committee, said the Bush administration has "got to convince us this is worthwhile".
Good luck convincing that old goat of anything. Maybe tell him we'll 'redeploy' the missiles to Germany.
In a report attached to the revised budget, the committee said: "It is premature to provide full funding for the European component, given the uncertainty surrounding the programme".

The budget cuts are part of $3.5bn that the committee has slashed from the overall defence budget, which now stands at $459bn. The committee's pared-down budget will go to the full House for a vote next week but is almost certain to be passed.

As well as reducing the budget, Congress is shifting priorities from futuristic programmes to more immediate concerns, such as improved healthcare for soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, pay rises for soldiers and marines, and much-needed weaponry for Iraq, such as the heavily-armoured Stryker vehicles.

The House and Senate have questioned whether establishing the system in eastern Europe is sensible given the extent of the opposition it has aroused in Russia. They also question its technical feasibility and the failure of other Nato countries to commit fully to it.

Republicans on the committee joined the Democrats in voting for the bill. Mr Murtha said Congress was trying to change the direction of the defence department across the board, not just on missile defence.
I think we know the changes he wants. Might as well ask Kucinich to start up the Peace Department.
Bill Young, the most senior Republican on the committee, said: "I don't think this bill is subject to a veto." He said it had been designed for quick passage.

Even if Mr Bush was to block it, the extent of congressional opposition will leave doubts over the European missile defence system, signalling that if the Democrats take the White House next year the plan would be scrapped. The congressional opposition will also embolden Russia to maintain its opposition.
Which is all the Dhimmis really want to do here.

Posted by: Steve White 2007-07-27
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=194630